An Ancient Hawaiian Village

Early Hawaiians used a system of land management that was defined by wedge-shaped land divisions that stretched from the uplands to the ocean. Called ahupua'a, these land divisions were sustainable and fostered good stewardship practices. Today these practices are being studied and, in some cases, adapted to contemporary use.

One of the best ways to understand an ahupua'a land division is to visit Lapakahi State Historical Park, which is located about 14 miles north of Kawaihae on Route 270.

Here you'll find the reconstructed ancient village of Koai'e. Hawaiians first settled in the Lapakahi area during the 1300s, and the fishing village of Koai'e served as the center of population and cultural activity in the Lapakahi ahupua'a until the late 1800s.

The 265-acre park encompasses a variety of partially restored sites. A one-mile-long dirt trail leads visitors through the village. Sites are numbered to coincide with information in a free brochure available in a small visitor center at the park. The walking tour takes less than an hour.

Walking along the trail, it's not hard to imagine life in this ahupua'a with farmers growing crops in the mountains trading taro and other goods for fish caught by families living closer to the sea. There are examples of games like konane (sometimes called Hawaiian checkers) and 'ulu maika (a form of bowling using stones) that children are encouraged to try. Throughout the area, flowers, shrubs, and trees are identified. Park guides are in attendance daily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

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